Chapter 3
1129 Words
I am still in shock and found it hard to believe that I was to become Hunter McGregor's bride.
The moment felt surreal, Alexander casually dropped the news, leaving me no chance to protest or express my feelings. His words, cold and resolute, were simply,
"It is for the good of the family," before he walked out of my room.
He was always the silent one and didn't treat me as worse as Alina and my mother did. Alteast for once I thought he was on my side, clearly I was wrong.
They all did this behind my back, of course I was expecting some type of betrayal but not this, not me marrying a stranger.
Now, I am dressed in a wedding gown, preparing to walk down the aisle with a man I hardly knew. I finally understood why Alina was so insistent about that damn dress, it was her sick way of taunting me.
Nobody bothered to ask for my opinion. Instead, everyone went ahead and arranged for me to marry a CEO known for his rudeness and aloofness.
Of course I looked him up, one of the most influential young billionaires, yet his photos showed a man who rarely smiled, his expression often stern and guarded.
"Are you ready?" my mother's voice gently pulled me back to the present.
I wished I could make a scene and cry my way out of this, like Alina might have done, but I knew I had no real choice.
I responded with a squeaky, "Yes."
She approached, carefully draping my veil over my head, her movements swift and practiced.
"Now don't make this difficult, soon it will be over and done with," She said with a small distant smile.
Without lingering for any emotional moment, she took my hand and led me out of the room.
It was as if she was already looking ahead to her own future, indifferent to her youngest daughter's anxiety.
She handed me over to Alex, who stood quietly at the entrance, his expression unreadable. She then walked away quickly, leaving us alone.
We stood there in awkward silence as I dared not speak to him.
He gently intertwined his hand with mine and whispered,
"Smile, bella, this is your moment."
As a soft melody began to play, a mixture of fear and anxiety swelled within me.
I had always dreamt of my dad walking me down the aisle, but fate had a cruel joke. My palms were sweaty, and the tightness of my dress made me feel even more nauseous.
Sensing my hesitation, Alex held me firmly as we approached the ceremony. The reception was small with only our families present. It was odd, I thought there would be a multitude of paparazzi filling the small room.
When we reached the altar, Alexander gave me away and there he was standing opposite me, yet his gaze was mostly fixed on the presiding priest.
His face was marked by his usual frown, and I could tell he was not eager about this either, which made me feel slightly less alone in this situation.
Despite everything, I couldn’t help but notice how striking he looked in person. His height towered over me, and his brown hair complemented his vivid blue eyes, making him even more captivating than he appeared.
We exchanged vows, our voices trembling slightly, and then it was time for the kiss. My heart pounded loudly in my chest, cheeks flushing with nervous anticipation.
I had never kissed anyone before, and I was terrified of messing it up. As I looked up at him, he seemed to be gazing past me, lost in thought.
Without warning, he leaned in quickly and gave me a brief peck on the edge of my lips, certainly not the romantic first kiss I had imagined.
The quick, almost inconspicuous kiss felt like it never truly happened.
The applause snapped me back to reality, and as he held my hand, facing the congregation, I realized this was just the beginning of a new, uncertain chapter.
My mother and Alina exchanged sly grins as they sneered at me, a sharp pang gripping my chest. We steadily made our way out of the hall and right into a black limousine parked just outside, its polished surface gleaming in the light.
This was finally my escape from my family's grip, yet I was overwhelmed by conflicting feelings, Mr. McGregor's demeanor didn't seem as bad as they had described; he was standoffish, yes, but not outright rude.
He swiftly dropped my hand and entered the limousine on the opposite side, leaving me to open my own door. I hurried inside as the vehicle smoothly pulled away, leaving the hall and my old life behind.
Inside, an oppressive silence filled the space, loud and heavy, making me itch to say something. Yet, no words escaped my lips.
He kept gazing out the window, perhaps wishing he was anywhere else but here with me.
"For this to work, you'll have to do as I say," he said coldly, tearing his eyes from the scenery outside.
His voice was smooth, deeper than Alexander’s, and carried an icy tone. I was at a loss, my thoughts dissipating like smoke.
"Umm..." I started, but he cut me off sharply.
"I didn't tell you to speak," he thundered.
Startled, I quickly looked down, fidgeting my fingers a habit I had developed over time.
"This is merely a contract, and soon we'll go back to our lives. I expect you to stay in your lane and not bother me unless it’s a matter of life or death. Do you understand?" he said sternly.
"Y—yes," I whispered, daring only to avert my gaze.
Now I understood why they called him rude. Did he think I was happy with this arrangement? It felt like I had jumped from the fire into the blaze.
In no time, we arrived at his mansion and quickly got out, leaving me behind. The driver approached, opening the door with a gentle, apologetic smile.
I took his hand and stepped out of the car trying to hold on to the huge dress my mother picked out for me.
I nodded at him with a small smile and tried to catch up with Hunter's pace as he took long strides leaving me behind, breathless.
His house was twice as big as ours, the dark colors were a stark contrast to the brightness outside. It was all sombre looking without any touch of vibrance.
As I walked in through the large dark mahogany door, I was met with a large house that left me in awe. I didn't know how one could live in such a huge house and for what purpose, if he lived alone
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